Jhonny Peralta may be one of the biggest factors in the Cleveland Indians quest for the playoffs. Fans seem to be torn about his ability. Some unfairly compare his fielding to gold glover Omar Vizquel. Others talk about him being less than agile for the position and inconsistent at the plate. Both arguments have merit; no one will mistake Jhonny for Ozzie Smith, but he has been at least adequate. He was third in the AL in fielding with a .974 fielding percentage which can be misleading, but a stat none the less. Peralta's 2006 season was one to forget, batting only .257 with 13 home runs. Last year he batted .270 with 21 homeruns and 72 rbi, stats probably more indicative of his potential. Johnny seems to be one of the unsung Indians, poised for a breakout 2008.
Jhonny turns just 26 years old at the end of May, already possessing 3 full years of major league experience. His attitude seems unchanged, whether he hits a home run or strikes out. Peralta batted .333 in the playoffs, driving in 10 while belting 2 home runs and 5 doubles against some of the best pitching in baseball. Yesterday's game may be a microcosm of his career, as he had two singles but made a bad throw to home plate that could have cost the Tribe a vital run. With Victor Martinez potentially being out for awhile, Peralta should be poised to be moved into the four hole, a key position within the lineup. Providing enough support to Hafner as not to shake up the lineup dramatically will be vital. As he ages, the eventual move over to third base will be inevitable, but will not be a concern this season. A future AL All-Star bid for 2008 may not be out of the realm of possibility for the man whose father spelled his name wrong on his birth certificate.
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